Front Royal restricts water use, may fine violators

Front Royal’s mandatory water conservation restrictions remain in effect and violators could face fines during the ongoing drought.

The town reports in its recent update that as of Wednesday the daily stream flow rate of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River dropped below 340 cubic feet per second, or approximately 220 million gallons per day. Front Royal’s state-issued permit to withdraw water from the South Fork requires that the town impose mandatory and/or voluntary conservation measures at certain river flow rates.

Front Royal advises that users of the town’s water system must continue to observe mandatory water conservation efforts.

Front Royal prohibits the use of town water to:

• Water shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, plants, or any other vegetation – except indoor plantings, greenhouse and commercial nursery stocks, and new plantings less than 1 year old – between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, or other types of mobile equipment outdoors, except in a commercial vehicle wash facility.

• Wash private streets, driveways, parking lots, service station grounds, or other paved, outdoor surfaces.

• Run ornamental fountains unless the water is recycled. Municipal ornamental fountains shall be cleaned and closed within two days of the mandatory conservation declaration.

• Fill swimming and/or wading pools, except to top off pools to maintain the appropriate level for use.

Violation of any of these mandatory water conservation activities can be punished by a fine of up to $1,000 per offense committed. In addition, each day that a violation occurs can be punished as a separate offense. Water users are urged to comply with these efforts.

The town also requests, but does not mandate, that users:

• Serve drinking water in restaurants only upon patron request.

• Operate only fully loaded dishwashers and clothes washing machines.

• Take short showers instead of baths.

• Turn off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth.

• Use two basins when washing dishes by hand – one for washing and one for rinsing – rather than letting the tap run.

• Reduce all non-essential water usage.

• Repair or replace all water fixtures with reduced flow fixtures.

Contact the Water Treatment Plant at 540-636-7474 for more information about the restriction.

– Contact Alex Bridges at [email protected]

Log In

We will consider two submissions per writer per month. Letters: 250or fewer words. Commentaries: Under 500 words. You may submit aphoto with a Commentary if you like. Email submissions [email protected].

Manage your newsletter subscriptions in your user dashboard.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Most read stories from the week; delivered Saturday morning.

Have the latest local news delivered every morning, Monday through Friday.

We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen.

A weekly roundup of local sports, delivered Saturday morning.

Get our expert short-term forecast, summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather. Delivered every morning.